(Red Deer, AB) – The Red Deer Downtown Business Association (DBA) is in support of the Notice of Motion recently put forward by Red Deer City Councillor Buck Buchanan.

The Notice encourages support from Red Deer City Council for a BEAT Patrol to reduce crime in the Downtown Areas of Red Deer. “A BEAT Patrol consists of volunteers and regular RCMP members that act as extra eyes and ears for policing through both walkers and bike patrols – they act as a presence on the street.”

“I am delighted to see such a notice put forward by a member of City Council. It is exactly what our Downtown needs,” said Amanda Gould, Executive Director for the Downtown Business Association. “An ongoing and predictable RCMP presence Downtown in any capacity would be a huge step forward. The visibility of patrol members would provide reassurance to visitors, act as a deterrent to criminals and would go a long way in changing the perception of our Downtown. We have so many great things going on down here but negative perceptions around personal safety often act as deterrents to visitors and it’s time to change that.”

The DBA works relentlessly at ground level with both social agencies and businesses to foster mutual accountability, but more help is needed. We appreciate the initiative taken by Councillor Buchanan to address our collective concerns and hope this Notice of Motion is able to garner additional support to address Downtown safety.

The Downtown Business Association has been operating in Red Deer for over 30 years, serving approximately five-hundred business owners in the Downtown area.Through partnerships and leadership in advocacy and promotion, the DBA is the catalyst for a vibrant and prosperous downtown that istheplace to live, work, play and do business.